Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs today (July 31) detected one drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport. About 3.9 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $0.8 million was seized. Two men were arrested.
A 28-year-old and a 23-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong today from Hangzhou and Bangkok, Thailand, respectively. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside the suitcase of the 28-year-old man. The 28-year-old man and the 23-year-old man connected to the case were subsequently arrested.
An investigation of the case is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 31) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers first intercepted the incoming 82-year-old local female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on July 5 and seized 1 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested, charged and released on bail pending trial. The woman later re-entered Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point on July 24. Customs officers further seized 1 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested again and charged. A total of 3 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated total market value of about $13,000 and a total duty potential of about $10,500 were seized in the two interceptions.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
